Heat generator for hookahs, and hookah tobacco head

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a heat generator for water pipes comprising a peripheral wall, a bottom, a lid, and a plate movably arranged inside the heat generator for receiving glowing coals or coal substitutes, wherein at least one slot is arranged in the peripheral wall of the heat generator, which extends helically between the bottom and the lid and the plate has at least one handle part projecting through the slot and guided in the slot, and a continuous adjustability of the plate relative to the bottom is provided.

The present invention concerns a heat generator for water pipes and a water pipe tobacco head. Such heat generators are mainly used in smoking devices such as shishas. The heat generator is filled with a heat source such as glowing pieces of coal. A tobacco or tobacco substitute arranged underneath the heat generator is heated by the heat emitted by the heat generator and thereby releases its aroma-giving ingredients. Those are then consumed the smoker, but are first drawn through a container filled with water.

With the heat generators known from the state of the art, it has proven to be a disadvantage that a satisfactory regulation of the heat supply can only be achieved by removing or adding additional heating material. In some cases it is desirable to regulate the heat generation process during the cooling of the coal material in such a way that a constant heat output is always achieved. In other cases, smokers may wish to have a strong heat generation, which is achieved by bringing the heat source very close to the tobacco material. In any case, the regulation of the temperature requires a direct intervention of the user on the heat source.

The task of the present invention is to provide a heat generator which enables a simple regulation of the heat output without direct intervention on the heat source. At the same time the invention also deals with a water pipe tobacco head. Herein, one of the tasks of the invention is to provide a coolable or refrigerated head, which allows an even more even aroma release and slow combustion of the tobacco material or a tobacco substitute, especially at the beginning of the smoking process.

The task is solved by a heat generator according to claim 1 and a water pipe tobacco head according to claim 19. Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.

The heat generator for water pipes according to the invention is designed as a vessel which comprises a circumferential wall, a bottom, a lid and a plate movably arranged inside the heat generator for receiving glowing coal or coal substitutes. The task according to the invention is solved in that at least one guide slot is arranged in the circumferential wall of the heat generator, which extends helically between the bottom and the lid part. The plate has at least one handle part projecting through the slot and guided in the slot and can be continuously adjusted in its position relative to the bottom of the heat generator. This design allows the distance between the coal material and the bottom of the heat generator to be individually adjusted from the outside after the heat generator has been filled once with coal material, and no direct contact with the coal material is necessary after filling. This avoids unnecessary opening of the heat generator and also prevents injuries caused by burns.

It is considered to be advantageous if the slot has locking positions for the handle part and the handle part is supported on the circumferential wall inside the slot. This allows the setting of a preferred distance between coal and ground.

It is recommended that the base has a guide for the plate extending in the axial direction of the heat generator, so that the plate can always be moved smoothly and safely and can be supported horizontally.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that two symmetrically formed slots are provided in the circumferential wall opposite each other and that the plate has two handle parts, at least one of which projects through the slot and a second of which projects into the slot. This further improves the guiding of the plate when moving it in the heat generator. Also in this configuration, it is considered advantageous if the slots have detent positions for the handle parts.

The aeration of the coal and thus the combustion process are improved by the fact that the plate has holes in a preferred embodiment. In an advantageous further embodiment it is provided that the plate has a circumferential edge, which lies against the circumferential wall, in particular fits tightly.

In a further development of the invention, the insertion of the coals is made much easier if the plate has a curvature directed towards the ground.

Preferably the heat generator has a dome-, cone-, truncated cone, pyramid or hemispherical shape. The geometrical shape, which is not limited to the above, ensures optimal circulation of heat inside the heat generator. A variation of the shape also proves to be particularly favourable from an optical point of view.

In a further development of the invention, the heat generator has an access or filling opening through which combustion material can be introduced into the heat generator. In a preferred embodiment, the heat generator is characterized by the fact that the lid part is designed to be removable. Alternatively or in addition to this, it is considered favourable if the lid part has at least one, in particular round or slotted or oblong hole shaped ventilation opening. As an alternative to complete removability, it may also be provided that the cover part is swivelled relative to the body of the heat generator. The swivelling can be done in the plane or out of the plane.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the heat generator, a slider is provided in the lid part to open and close the at least one ventilation opening. In addition to the variation of the position of the coal inside the heat generator, the combustion process is further influenced by the opening or closing of the ventilation openings, thus promoting or reducing heat development. In this context, it is considered advantageous if the lid part and the slider are arranged so that they can be moved relative to each other and/or in opposite directions.

In a further development of the invention it is provided that alternatively or in addition to the openings in the lid part also in the circumferential wall at least one, in particular round or slot- or oblong hole-shaped ventilation opening is provided. This serves the ventilation and thus the more uniform combustion of the material.

In order to be able to place the heat generator on a tobacco head particularly easily, it is considered advantageous if the heat generator has a grip tab which enables the simple and above all burn-free gripping of the heat generator, even if it is already filled with glowing coal.

Favorably, the heat generator is made of aluminum, stainless steel or a heat-resistant plastic and is preferably produced in a casting, die-casting, deep-drawing, forging or machining process.

Of equal inventive significance and covered by the present invention is a water pipe tobacco head, which can also be regarded as an independent invention and which is particularly suitable for mounting a heat generator as described above. The water pipe tobacco head has at least one water pipe tobacco head body and a tobacco support part and is characterized in that the water pipe tobacco head body is substantially hollow.

This hollow design allows the tobacco head to be filled with a liquid, for example water or a cooling liquid. The cooled water pipe tobacco head prevents the tobacco material from burning too quickly when the heat source is placed on top. This ensures an even aroma development and thus a favorable smoking result. In order to introduce the liquid into the hollow body, the hollow body preferably has a filling opening.

Since the water pipe tobacco head is exposed to strong heat, it is considered favorable if the entire water pipe tobacco head or only the water pipe tobacco head body and/or the tobacco support part is/are completely or partially made of a heat-resistant material, in particular silicone. This replaces conventional materials such as stone, ceramics, clay, glass, metal or porcelain in whole or in part and makes the production of the tobacco head much easier and cheaper.

As favorable materials for the production of the parts of the water pipe tobacco head, tobacco head body and/or tobacco support part, which are not made of silicone, aluminum, stainless steel or another heat-resistant plastic are regarded.

The water pipe tobacco head body and/or the tobacco support part are preferably produced by a casting, die-casting, deep-drawing, blow molding, forging or machining process, whereby the process used depends on the material, the material properties and the machinability.

In a favorable further development of the invention, it is provided that the water pipe tobacco head body and/or the tobacco support part are formed of different materials and a detachable or fixed connection of the water pipe tobacco head body and the tobacco support part is provided. The detachable connection can be designed, for example, as a screw or plug connection. An undetachable connection is made by fusing or gluing the two parts together.

It proves to be an advantageous further embodiment, if the tobacco support part is formed trough-shaped or bowl-shaped and sunk into a cavity of the water pipe tobacco head body. Through this a further improvement of the cooling properties and cooling performance is achieved.

It is considered to be a favorable embodiment if the water pipe tobacco head body is completely or partially fillable with liquid, especially a cooling liquid. In this context, it is advantageous if the filling opening is designed to be reclosable. Thus a refilling or an exchange of the coolant after use can take place.

The cooling of the tobacco is further improved if the surface of the tobacco support part facing the cavity contacts the liquid.

The water pipe tobacco head according to the invention is intended to be fitted with a heat generator, for example as described above. In order to achieve a secure connection between the heat generator and the water pipe tobacco head, the latter preferably has a receptacle, in particular an insert groove or recess, for the low-play connection with the heat generator. In an advantageous further development alternatively or additionally means for the formation of a detachable connection of heat generator and/or water pipe tobacco head can be provided. In this context it is considered favourable if these means are designed as interengageable snap-in, screw, plug or magnetic connectors.

In the drawings embodiments of the invention are shown several representations. It shows:

FIG. 1 a water pipe in perspective view,

FIG. 2a a heat generator in perspective view,

FIG. 2b a heat generator from FIG. 2a in sectional view,

FIG. 3 is a further embodiment of a heat generator in perspective view, and

FIG. 4 an embodiment of the water pipe tobacco head in exploded view.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional water pipe 1, also known as a shisha. The example shows several parts. The water pipe 1 shown here has a vessel 60 filled with water, which forms the lower part 40 of the water pipe 1. The connection opening 50 for the smoke hose not shown in FIG. 1 is also provided here. Inside the vessel 60 there are appropriate tubes for the smoke guiding. The upper part 70 of the water pipe 1 is formed by an ash plate 71 to which the water pipe tobacco head 30 is connected. In the design example, the water pipe tobacco head 30 has an additional tobacco receiving tray 20 on which tobacco can be placed. The system is completed by a heat generator 10 which can be placed on the water pipe tobacco head 30. The last two elements are described in detail in the following drawings.

FIG. 2a shows a heat generator 10 in perspective view. It has a hemispherical lid 11, which is equipped with ventilation openings 110. The lid 11 is fitted with a protruding handle 121 which is used to swivel the lid 11 and open the heat generator 10. As an alternative to the design shown here with the cover 11 swivelled in the plane, it can also be designed as a hinged cover. This design is not shown here. Furthermore, the heat generator 10 has a circumferential wall 13 which, in the design example, is provided with a helical slot 14 in the circumferential wall 13. The slot 14 serves as a guide for the handle part 16, which is attached to the plate 120 located inside the heat generator 10.

In the design example, the slot 14 has detent positions 17 into which the handle part 16 can be lowered. This allows an almost infinitely variable adjustment of the plate 120 inside the heat generator 10.

In the design example shown here, the circumferential wall 13 has ventilation holes 19. A grip tab 15 is also provided between the base 18 and the cover 11 approximately in the middle of the circumferential wall 13. The heat generator 10 can be lifted via this tab and, for example, placed on a water pipe tobacco head 30.

FIG. 2b shows the heat generator 10 described in connection with FIG. 2a in sectional view. The plate 120 provided inside the heat generator 10 is clearly visible here. It serves as a support for coals when the water pipe 1 is in operation. On the plate 120 is the handle part 16, which extends outwards through the circumferential wall 13 and the slot 14 provided therein. By means of the handle part 16, the position of the plate 120 inside the heat generator 10 can be changed by moving the handle part 16 along the slot 14 provided in the circumferential wall 13. This will change the distance between the plate 120 and the glowing coal (not shown) placed on it and the bottom 18 of the heat generator 10. In order to ensure that the plate 120 is guided evenly and always in a horizontal position, a guide rod 122 extending between the bottom 18 and the lid 11 is provided inside the heat generator 10, along which the plate 120 can be moved axially.

The lid 11 has a slider 113 which can be moved relative to the lid 11 and closes or opens the ventilation openings 110 in the lid 11. The ventilation holes 19 in the circumferential wall 13 are always open and allow air to enter, which has a positive effect on the glow process.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the heat generator 10, which also has a slot 14 in the circumferential wall 13 in which a handle part 16 of the internally arranged plate 120 can be moved. This design example clearly shows the detent positions 17 in which the handle part 16 can be inserted.

The heat generator 10 in FIG. 3 also has a lid 11 in which ventilation openings 110 are provided. These are slotted. There is no provision for regulating the opening width here, which is why no slider is provided. The lid 11 shown here is not pivoted but is opened. For this purpose the protruding handle 121 is used, which coincides with the grip tab 15 at the circumference 13. In addition to the truncated cone and ball-shaped designs shown in the design examples, any other design of lid 11 which appears favorable and is desired from an optical point of view can of course be selected.

The water pipe tobacco head 30 shown in FIG. 4 is also covered by the invention, which in the design example is formed as a hollow structure and has an outer wall 31 which delimits a space 36 for a liquid, for example coolant. At the upper end 39, the space 36 has a tray holder 34 into which a tobacco holding tray 20 can be inserted. The tobacco holding tray 20, for example, is made of metal and can be removed and cleaned at the end of the smoking process. The tray holder 34 or its tray bottom 33 arches in the direction of the space 36 inside the water pipe tobacco head 30 and contacts the coolant provided there. The use of the coolant has the advantage that the tobacco remains cooled and does not burn until the coal inserted in the heat generator 10 has reached its operating temperature.

To start up the water pipe 1, the heat generator 10 is placed on the water pipe tobacco head 30. In order to achieve a good connection, in the design example of FIG. 4, magnets 35 are embedded, preferably pressed in, in the upper circumferential edge 38 of the water pipe tobacco head 30, which hold the metal heat generator 10 on the water pipe tobacco head 30. Alternative designs not shown here provide a groove or recess into which the heat generator or its lower edge can be inserted. The elements of the heat generator 10 have already been described above, so these elements will not be describe again. At the lower end 37 the water pipe tobacco head 30 tapers and can be inserted with this lower end 37 into a bottle and close it like a stopper. Inside the water pipe tobacco head 30, a guide tube 32 is provided for the smoke produced. The water pipe tobacco head 30 is shown in the design example as a one-piece element and consists of a silicone material. Of course, it is also possible to combine different materials, for example in an appropriate injection molding process. In any case, the water pipe tobacco head body 80 is hollow and carries in the design example the tobacco support part 90, which here is additionally covered with a tobacco holding tray 20 to be inserted into the tray holder 34.

List of reference numerals: 1 = water pipe 10 = heat generator 11 = lid 110 = ventilation opening 120 = plate 121 = protruding handle 122 = guide rod 113 = slider 13 = peripheral wall 14 = slot 15 = grip tab 16 = handle part 17 = detent positions 18 = bottom 19 = ventilation holes 20 = tobacco holding tray 30 = water pipe tobacco head 31 = outer wall 32 = guide tube 33 = tray bottom 34 = tray holder 35 = magnet 36 = space 37 = lower end 38 = circumferential edge 39 = upper end 40 = lower part 50 = connection opening 60 = vessel 70 = upper part 71 = ash plate 90 = tobacco support part 

1. Heat generator (10) for water pipes (1) comprising: a peripheral wall (13), a bottom (18), a lid (11), and a plate (120) movably arranged inside the heat generator (10) for receiving glowing coals or coal substitutes, characterized in that at least one slot (14) is arranged in the peripheral wall (13) of the heat generator (10), which extends helically between the bottom (18) and the lid (11), and the plate (120) has at least one handle part (16) projecting through the slot (14) and guided in the slot (14), and a continuous adjustability of the plate (120) relative to the base (18) is provided.
 2. Heat generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the slot (14) has locking positions for the handle part (16) and the handle part (16) is supported on the peripheral wall inside the slot (14).
 3. Heat generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom (18) has a guide for the plate (120) extending in the axial direction of the heat generator (10).
 4. Heat generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the peripheral wall (13) there are provided two opposing, symmetrically formed slots (14) and the plate (120) has two handle parts, at least one of which projects through the slot (14) and a second projects into the slot (14).
 5. Heat generator (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the slots (14) have detent positions (17) for the handle parts (16).
 6. Heat generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (120) has holes.
 7. Heat generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (120) has a circumferential edge which bears against the circumferential wall (13), in particular in a sealing manner.
 8. Heat generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (120) has a curvature directed towards the base (18).
 9. Heat generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized by a dome-shaped, cone-shaped, truncated cone shaped, pyramid-shaped or hemispherical-cone-shaped design.
 10. Heat generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat generator (10) has an access or filling opening.
 11. Heat generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid (11) is designed to be removable.
 12. Heat generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid (11) has at least one ventilation opening (110), in particular a round or slot-shaped or slotted or oblong hole-shaped opening.
 13. Heat generator (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that a slider (113) for opening and closing the at least one ventilation opening (110) is provided in the lid (11).
 14. Heat generator (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the cover part (11) and the slider (113) are arranged moveable relative to one another and/or in opposite directions to one another.
 15. Heat generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one ventilation opening (110), in particular a round or slot-shaped or slotted or oblong hole-shaped ventilation opening (110) is provided in the peripheral wall (13).
 16. Heat generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat generator (10) has a grip tab (15) or a protruding handle (121).
 17. Heat generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat generator (10) is made of aluminium, stainless steel or a heat-resistant plastic.
 18. Heat generator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat generator (10) is manufactured by a casting, die-casting, deep-drawing, forging or machining process. 